Have A Question About Dogs? We’ll Answer It

You may already have a preconceived notion of what you expect from owning a pet store or pound. You may end up with something quite different. No matter what the situation, you have the job of taking care of your dog, and the following paragraphs will help you do just that.

Anti-flea products are dangerous. Some of them contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer in children, and are 1,000 times as strong as the safe levels recommended by the EPA. Ask the vet about flea powders and other products that are less hazardous for kids.

Talk to your vet about what foods are best for dogs and which ought to be avoided. Be careful when taking care of your pet.

Speak with your vet about how much food should your dog daily. While some people feed their dogs according to the dog food package guidelines, they are sometimes incorrect and may make your dog overweight. Speak to the vet about what you should be feeding your dog according to its needs.

Think about your own lifestyle when considering the dog breed you want. For example, someone that stays inside a lot would want a calm lap dog and not a hyper breed. If you spend more time in the home, a more sedate, indoor dog will fit your lifestyle best. Finding a dog that matches your personality will make both of you happy.

TIP! Give your dog rawhide instead of real meat bones. Real bones chip apart and can become dangerously lodged in the oral cavity or digestive track.

Take your time and correct bad behavior is right or wrong as soon as it occurs. Your dog could hurt somebody, or you, so take steps to control him early on.

A lot of dog owners leave their dogs in the city pound because they can no longer keep their pet for whatever reason. Just call to your local pound to find out what breeds they may have available. This could also help to save the life of a dog.

Your dog needs a dog house if he or she has to remain outside in cold weather. Adverse weather conditions can be detrimental to your pooch, causing illnesses, anxiety and poor behaviors. Keep your dog out of the wet weather and the wind by building a shelter that keeps them dry and gives them room.

TIP! Do not buy the cheapest dog food you can find. It is best to invest in quality dog food.

Make sure that you provide your dog with affection on a regular basis. As it usually happens, dog owners frequently focus on bad behavior instead of good. This can cause problems for you. Try praising them at least 5 times more than when you scold him. Your dog is much more likely showcase proper behavior if you do that.

Make sure you are providing your dog with the opportunity for plenty of physical and mental. Teach your dog to get your newspaper and do other helpful things around the house. This will make him feel fulfilled as a result.

Take your new dog to the vet. Directly after getting your dog, be sure to make a check up appointment with a trusted vet. Your dog will get a vaccination schedule and a checkup. Also see about getting your dog fixed because there are tons of animals in shelters and adding to that problem isn’t good.

TIP! Teach your dog the right way to walk with a leash. Your dog has to understand the “heel” command and respond to it by walking beside you, not ahead of or in back of you.

Be sure your dog wears identification so it can be returned to you by giving him some identification. A popular way to ensure the return of your dog is returned is to have them wear a breakaway collar and ID tag. This tag should include your relevant contact details and the name of your dog. You can also consider having a micro-chip inserted into your dog.

Take your dog to the veterinarian regularly. Puppies tend to need the vet more often than older dogs. You need to go to the vet as soon as your dog seems sick or gets injured.

The hair around a dog’s paws can easily get matted, and should be trimmed on a regular basis. Straighten the hair with a comb slightly before you do any trimming. If you have a hard time with this, enlist the services of a groomer.

TIP! For pure bred dogs, don’t discount local pounds to find one. Pets are abandoned due to a variety of circumstances, so you might be lucky enough to find one at the pound.

Check your dog for ticks and fleas daily once it gets warm. Remove fleas you find with a special comb. There are many products out there that can help you may want to consider using to get rid of fleas and fleas. Talk to your veterinarian about such products or any other options.

Make a careful selection when it comes to your dog’s diet. You might think that you can save money by feeding your dog table scraps, but this is not healthy.

Get your dog spayed, and if you have a female in heat, take extra care that she does not become pregnant. A male dog can smell a female in heat from up to five miles away. This can lead to aggression among other males, and you certainly don’t want to be left with an unexpected litter of pups.

TIP! When the weather outdoors become hotter, you need to search for ticks and fleas on your dog each day. If you do find fleas, you can use a flea comb.

You might feel the urge to feed your dog a bite of your snack. Some foods are okay to share, but many foods aren’t good for dogs. Dogs should never be given caffeine, chocolate and anything with caffeine, for instance. These foods can hurt your dog.

Were you aware that vitamins could hurt your pet? Your dog should not need vitamins if you feed it a good diet. Too much of certain vitamins could cause damage to the blood vessels, kidneys and other essential organs. Speak to the vet before starting your dog’s vitamin regimen.

Your dog needs to be protected in the summer time. Dogs are very susceptible to overheating. Provide a shady, cooler place for them to relax. Make sure your dog has access to clean and cool water. The dog can also be sensitive to the sun, so talk to your veterinarian about dog sunscreen.

TIP! It’s important to keep in mind that your dog is a dog, not a human. You may want to train him for a long time, but his attention span isn’t that long.

Don’t ignore this wonderful advice. Use it every day and your dog will soon be your dream dog. There is nothing greater than receiving unconditional love from a well-trained pet dog.